HC Deb 21 June 1988 vol 135 c527W
51. Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about Her Majesty's Government policy towards encouraging nursery education.

Mr. Dunn

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations recently.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the Government have any plans to introduce legislation to make it a statutory duty of local education authorities to provide education for three and four-year-old children of parents who wish their children to benefit from it.

Mr. Dunn

No. The Government believe that local authorities are best placed to judge the extent and form of provision for the under-fives appropriate to their circumstances, in the light of local demand.